OC Mutt's Profile
Chez L'Ami Jean
The service was very good, and I could tell that the execution of the dishes was excellent (everything served piping hot with interesting presentation) but I just didn't care for the food. Neither did my dining companion. I'm sure that they do what they do very well, but I guess I personally just do not care for what they do. The commentary on the physical experience of eating in that space is an addendum to that discussion and it is noteworthy in that some will be uncomfortable with it.
Chez L'Ami Jean
I haven't written "bad" reviews, but I don't like the place and don't understand the all of the raves. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/830886, and I would avoid it unless one really desires the specific rustic cuisine that they serve.
Feedback on Paris restaurants
Cafe l'Ami Jean is not a place I will return to when I visit Paris. Their service is excellent (though I did get a sense that they wanted to turn over tables quickly), the ambiance is warm, authentic and inviting but the food just didn't speak to me. That said, despite the ambiance, eating there isn't in reality very comfortable. The tables are microscopic, so much so they literally hang things off the edge for extra real estate, and you're not just elbow to elbow with your neighbor, you're practically sitting on their lap. To each their own, but I do not understand the raves about this place. Breizh cafe is interesting and they're very nice to those who do not speak French as well, give it a try, but remember it's very low key and not the meal of a lifetime. Make sure to get a dessert crepe an ask for an extra scoop of ice cream - one isn't enough!
Great delicious Lunch in OC...but where??????
A big yes to Marche Moderne and Mozza. Add Charlie Palmer to the list, they have an excellent lunch and Thasos Greek Island Grille is terrific (very casual), but it can be crowded for lunch Forget Ortica, it's painfully mediocre.
Paris - Classic Steak Frites near 6th arr.
I've been searching threads to no avail for this one. I'm looking for a place that serves a classic steak frites - smothered in sauce and served with crispy fries (not just any type of potatoes). Preferably near the 6th arr. I would go to L'entrecote but my girlfriend does not eat meat, and I need to find a place with another menu option. I would prefer to find a classic brasserie or bistro at somewhat reasonable prices (so L'Ami Louis is out). I had thought that this would be easy but it really is turning out to be quite the challenge. Thanks hounds!
Best Steak Frites in Paris?
Any suggestions for steak frites near Latin quarter? L'Ami Louis is not an option. Open to any others! Thanks!
"Mozza Cookbook" Pizza Dough - trouble
Followed the recipe exactly and weighed ingredients as well. The unclear parts were the mixer speed, mixing time, and what the dough needed to look like in the mixing bowl - thanks for clarifying.
"Mozza Cookbook" Pizza Dough - trouble
I kept adding flour. Should "slightly sticky" mean that it pulls away from the mixer bowl? Mine had a 1/4" film of dough on the bowl that never went away and yet when cooked it came out hard, not chewy or crispy but like dried paste in texture.
"Mozza Cookbook" Pizza Dough - trouble
Tried the recipe and was not happy with it. It was very wet, and there was no indication of how one is supposed to tell when it is done mixing or what speed to mix it at using a Kitchenaid mixer. The dough never pulled away completely from the mixer bowl. Even though the dough was sticky and uncomfortably soft while making pizzas, after cooking it turned out hard and not crispy either. We used a kitchen scale too. I'm stumped.
Mezze - Holiday Menu
Thanks for the heads up on the Sunday night deli menu containing the matzo ball soup - I'll be returning for another bowl ASAP. Thankfully the chopped liver is a regular on the menu as well.
Mezze - Holiday Menu
Ate at Mezze last night on X-mas eve and am compelled to share. First of all, the Matzo ball soup was probably the best I have had in Los Angeles. Run, don't walk, to make sure you try it before it leaves the menu! I hope the chef is inspired to keep it permanently because I liked it that much, so did everyone at our table of 8. Grandma's chopped chicken livers with grape "mostarda" and house made challah was spectacular (not really a mostarda in the sense that it was grapes, not a sauce). The challah was rich, pillow soft and had sea salt on the top. It's a must have for anyone who likes chopped liver. The Potato Knish was superb, crispy, soft, warm, and augmented by a very robust house made mustard. Speaking of the mustard, we eagerly ordered two pastrami sandwiches after reading the glowing review in the LA Weekly. It was the only item that was universally panned by our group. The pastrami was not like what one would expect or hope for and we also considered it to be under seasoned and too fatty with unpleasant bites of fat that all four people who tried it were turned off by. The reviewer from the LA weekly clearly knows nothing about Pastrami. However, don't let that color your opinion of Mezze. We all loved the place and I can't wait to return. Also superb was a Mediterranean version of "chili fries" (called Egyptian fries or something like that) with luscious seasoned bites of brisket, feta cheese, sliced chilis, beans and other treats. The fries stayed amazingly crisp, salty, hot and delicious among the generous toppings and it was gobbled up by our group. Our table ordered the following items as well, the Shawarma - ours was brisket and it was delicious, in soft mini pita breads with pickled veg., yellowtail crudo, sea bass, a beet salad, cauliflower flatbread and Merguez flatbread. We were too full to order dessert so I cannot report on that part of the menu. We were very happy over all and had a great experience. So so now and get yourself that Matzo Ball Soup, and those Knishes before they leave the special holiday menu, then return for the other very well executed items.
Mediocre Bouchon
Last time I went I finally tried the mac and cheese - it was superb. Also tried the Bouchons and they were excellent - warm chocolaty and silky on the inside. The prices are a bit high which I'm sure is part of some of what I consider to be the un-merited vehemence of some of reviewers pushback, (eg. yes, you get a few tiny looking Bouchons on a plate for a seemingly high price) but I think of it in terms of how much cheaper it is than a plane ticket to Paris - except the service is much much better (and nicer) here.
Best Gelato ANYWHERE - La Cremeria!
I tried Grom in Rome last week and now I can tell you unequivocally that Grom doesn't hold a candle to La Cremeria. It's good, maybe a B- but that's it. In fact, I wanted to like it, I was excited to try it because they have a location in Malibu, but before I said anything my girlfriend looked up at me after giving it a try and the first thing she said was, "La Cremeria is better." I had to agree, and by the way, neither of us was thinking about doing a comparison at the time - we just wanted to try the best Italian gelatos. The Grom flavors were not as bold, which could be a function of it being served colder than optimal as some have suggested in other reviews, I'm not sure, but the real downside was the texture. It was, for lack of a better word - gummy. And that gummy texture and mouthfeel applied to all four flavors that we tried, including Pistachio, Bacio, Hazelnut, Crema, and the Dark Chocolate (which was the best of the four). Honestly, even in Gelato devoid Los Angeles where there really isn't a great gelateria, I would not make the effort to go to Grom.
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La Cremeria
178 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
Naples/Sorrento or Florence - which is best from a culinary standpoint?
Barberinbee, thanks for the great advice. Yes, food is a major consideration for my travels but while I like Michelin starred places, I'm not as interested in seeking them out in Italy - I'd prefer to enjoy the local favorites - the pizzas, the pastas, gelato, the cheeses that I cannot get in the US, the salumi and the charcuterie. I'm less interested in the cutting edge cuisine as I am the classics done very well - so a great sandwich or pizza or bowl of pasta is more desirable than white table cloth cuisine. Thank you so much for your insight!
Naples/Sorrento or Florence - which is best from a culinary standpoint?
In an upcoming trip to Rome in November, I have two days and nights scheduled for an excursion. Our two options are a trip to Naples for a night then to Sorrento for a night or head up to Florence for two nights. Which choice would offer the best culinary destinations and what recommendations do you have? I have read some disconcerting things about Naples being unsafe, so if that's true it factors into the decision. Thanks Italy hounds!
Rome - T&L Recommendations worthwhile?
Rome Hounds - Travel and Leisure recommended the following restaurants in their latest issue as some of Europe's most "Irresistible" - the qualifier being that they hold something unique and particular to that city, in other words exude the essence of that city rather than globalized fusion type cuisine. We'll be traveling to Rome in November and would love the local's take on this list, best/favorite dishes from these places, and of course alternate recommendations if you disagree with a choice. Some seem rather pricey so if you have local favorites please share. Food quality is paramount for me, so I don't mind paying if it's worth it. The article can be found here: http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/europes-most-irresistible-restaurants
The list is as follows:
Al Moro: Try spaghetti alle vongole and anything with porcini. lunch for two $100.
Da Cesare dinner for two $90.
Flavio al Velavevodetto dinner for two $80.
Il Goccetto An atmospheric dark-wood enoteca with cutting-edge vini and handcrafted salumi.wine and snacks for two $55.
Nonna Betta lunch for two $75.
Perilli 39 Via Marmorata; dinner for two $85.
Salumeria Roscioli dinner for two $160.
Settimo al Pellegrino Centro lunch for two $70.
Trattoria Monti lunch for two $110.
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Trattoria Monti
Via di San Vito,13a, Roma , IT
Perilli
Via Marmorata 39, Rome , IT
Roscioli
Via dei Giubbonari 21/23, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT
Al Moro
Vicolo delle Bollette, 13, Rome, Lazio , IT
Nonna Betta
Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 16., Rome, Lazio , IT
Il Goccetto
Via dei Banchi Vecchi, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT
Da Cesare
Via del Casaletto,45, Rome, Lazio 00151, IT
Cincinnati - Large Party Restaurants
Hounds, I'm looking for a restaurant that can handle a party of 50 - 60, within 10 minutes of downtown. If it is downtown, that's optimal, but we do not wish to eat at McCormick and Schmicks or Rock Bottom Brewery and high end places are out of budget. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
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McCormick and Schmicks
2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, MI 48084
Cincinnati restaurants for large parties
Thanks! Hounds, if you know of any places aside from McCormick and Schmick's that are within walking distance of the Westin Downtown, that can hold a party of 50-60, please let me know.
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McCormick and Schmicks
2850 Coolidge Hwy, Troy, MI 48084
NYC for 4 days in September!! HELP!
I must respectfully disagree with Kathryn on this one, there isn't a bakery in LA that reaches the level of NYC bakeries, and the macarons in LA are mediocre at best. Went to Motorino on a Tuesday night, and had a 45 minute wait at 9PM. Loved it though. Another thing to consider about Motorino was that they had no Air conditioning (at least at that location on that night) so if it's summer, it might be ungodly hot in there.
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Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003
NYC for 4 days in September!! HELP!
Also, the best gelato I've ever tried is at La Cremeria. See this post. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/789599
LA has nothing even close,
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La Cremeria
178 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
NYC for 4 days in September!! HELP!
The best bagel on the planet, IMO, is from Ess-a-Bagel - if you live in LA, you will return home lamenting that nothing is even close to it. Try the everything bagel with cream cheese and nova. Every time I'm in the city, I visit Ess-a-Bagel for the above treat at least twice if not more and have actually booked hotels taking into account the proximity to the two locations. Bouchon Bakery is also a must visit in NYC (at least until they put one in Beverly Hills) for the TKO, best Macarons in the US, and myriad of other treats, as is La Maison du Chocolat (both are in Rockefeller Center). For pizza, Motorino is tops in NYC in my book, but it's very difficult to get into.
www.ess-a-bagel.com
http://www.bouchonbakery.com/
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/en/boutiques.php?c=newyork
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Ess-a-Bagel
359 1st Ave, New York, NY 10010
La Maison du Chocolat
30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020
Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003
Bouchon Bakery
1 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Best Steakhouse in L.A?
I've tried Wolfgangs in NYC (haven't tried the BH location), and the steak is delicious. I'd pass on the "famous" bacon, it's very over-rated, but I liked the German potatoes and the onion rings too. As for Cut, it's excellent in every respect but dessert, which I found so lacking that I didn't bother to order it. The pretzel rolls are the best I've ever had and even the butter is amazing. The only thing missing with Cut is that overstuffed feeling one gets from a night out of carnivorous debauchery at a steakhouse, and I'm not sure that's a good thing.
Best Steakhouse in L.A?
Agreed on The Palm, it's awful. It doesn't even belong in this conversation.
Good Eats Near Narbonne High School
Depends upon your price range. The Depot in downtown Torrance is excellent higher end dining, http://depotrestaurant.com/home.html, I hear good things about 1321 Downtown (also downtown Torrance) and it was featured in the LA Times http://www.1321downtown.com/, and Buffalo Fire Department in downtown Torrance http://www.buffalofiredepartment.com/. Also, the food court in Mitsuwa market on Western is a fun place to eat on the cheap.
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Buffalo Fire Department
1261 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Business entertaining at Jose Andres' Bazaar - Anyone been there lately?
The Philly Cheesesteak and the the hanger steak are must tries as is the foie gras brioche with quince The Jamons are quite good too. The Olives are considered by most to be a must try, but honestly they're only a once in a lifetime item, once you've tried the sphereified olive, you don't need to ever have it again. Their regular olives are quite good though. The nitrogen cocktails are worth trying just for the show, which is a lot of fun to watch. The cotton candy foie gras is woefully disappointing, as are the desserts.
Langers was good but............
I agree with Itseligman on this Langers issue - griping about a few dollars on the price of Pastrami is absurd. Especially when many consider them to have the best pastrami in the country and few and they have a line around the block. I never begrudge a business, especially one providing a unique hand-made product, the right to make the best profit that they can. And a sandwich, even a $15 sandwich, is hardly considered a luxurious indulgent splurge. But your unfortunately Badbatz has a point when it comes to value in general. Price is always in consideration when determining whether to eat somewhere and there is in fact a price to value ratio for pretty much everyone. Everyone a point on an imaginary graph in their heads where liking something meets price and then crosses it - eg. I really like Pho from my favorite place which charges $7.99 for a huge bowl. If they charged $30 for it, I wouldn't go there - especially knowing that there are other places that make excellent Pho as well.
Best Gelato ANYWHERE - La Cremeria!
Honestly, I only remember raising and eyebrow and being pleasantly surprised that the price to portion ratio seemed quite generous compared other gelato places.
Best Gelato ANYWHERE - La Cremeria!
Sorry Kathryn, I can't compare it, as I've never been to those places. But I can say I had never had gelato in the US that's nearly as good as the gelato over in Europe. Then I tried this place. I think the key indicator is that I'm still thinking about it 3 weeks later.
Best Gelato ANYWHERE - La Cremeria!
NYC hounds, I have to alert you to the best gelato I’ve had in my lifetime (that includes in Italy). It’s at La Cremeria in of all places Little Italy. I tried it on a whim. While walking down Mulbery street, we spotted a place with no sign, that looked like it sold gelato. My girlfriend and I were intrigued for some reason, perhaps because as she said – “it looks like this place is serious about what they do.” So we walked up, and the guy behind the counter, who is from Italy and was obviously the owner, offers us a taste. We were hooked. Mind you, we had just come from Katz’s deli and were stuffed. The idea of eating again was revolting but this was just so good, we couldn’t resist. And it was worth every bite! It had a texture smooth as silk, it was the perfect temperature – so soft it was almost runny yet miraculously it didn’t seem to melt fast, it just stayed that way. Most importantly, the flavors were, to put it mildly, a revelation. The pistachio had a hue and a taste that just screamed out that it was made with actual pistachios, and it was also full and bold. The hazelnut had the same qualities – strong bold, and the word “natural” came to mind while eating both, but not in a tree bark, flavorless, whiny “I-want-to-be-organic-and-don’t-care-what-it-tastes-like” kind of way, but more as a powerful depth of flavor that tells you that this is made from the real stuff by a master. I don’t know if it was or it wasn’t “real” in that sense, but it tasted and felt that way. When we told the owner that the gelato was really good, he proudly responded “I know.” He wasn’t obnoxious about it, you could just see the pride he took in making a superior product. I’ve since told everyone I know to stop there, and now I’m telling the NYC Chowhounds. This guy makes spectacular gelato. Reward him with your business, and reward yourself with a frozen treasure. The website says "coming soon" but it's open. http://www.la-cremeria.com/
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La Cremeria
178 Mulberry Street, New York, NY 10012
